BE Awards 2025: Services to Basketball

Isaac Omirin has used his extensive experience as both a player and official to become an outstanding coach and mentor, supporting generations of athletes throughout his career.

Through his work with Spelthorne Eagles, and previously with Richmond Knights, he has guided players from complete beginners through to national team representatives, while consistently building competitive and committed squads. 

His dedication to the development of both the men’s and women’s game has been particularly significant, ensuring equal opportunities for players and prioritising the growth of girls’ basketball within his programmes.

Through structured training sessions, summer camps, and a strong emphasis on teamwork, fitness, discipline, and personal growth, he has helped countless young people develop both as athletes and as individuals. 

Beyond the court, his contribution to the basketball community has been equally impressive. He has worked closely with local schools, organised outreach initiatives and charity tournaments, and created opportunities for young people to remain engaged with the sport in a positive and supportive environment.

Many former players continue to speak highly of the encouragement, guidance and inspiration he provided during their formative years, with many remaining involved in basketball because of the impact he had on their lives. 

From a young player to a highly respected coach, mentor, and role model, his lifelong contribution to basketball makes him a truly deserving recipient of this honour. 

Over more than 50 years, Cliff has dedicated himself to basketball in every possible capacity: coach, administrator, official, statistician, mentor, and organiser - always as a volunteer and always with the same commitment to growing and improving the game. 

His involvement has spanned countless roles at both club and area level, including positions such as secretary and fixtures officer and long-standing service within structures such as Southampton Area Basketball Association. He has also supported clubs including Solent Suns, contributed to SABA structures and worked within wider basketball environments including Army basketball. 

Cliff has been a strong and consistent advocate for the growth of women’s basketball, as well as for raising the standards and importance of statistics within the game. He was part of the original group that helped introduce and develop structured statistical recording in Basketball England competitions - a legacy that continues to shape the sport today. 

His contribution also extends onto the international stage, having been part of the officiating team at London 2012, one of the highest-profile moments in the sport’s history in this country. 

In addition, Cliff has organised Southampton Area Schools and Colleges basketball for many years, supported team management across successful Solent programmes, and travelled the country supporting players at regional and international opportunities. In more recent years, he has also contributed to live game streaming and production, sharing his knowledge with broadcast teams and helping elevate the presentation of the sport. 

Put simply, his contribution is immense. For close to six decades, Cliff has given his time, knowledge, and passion to basketball while working full time and supporting his family - always as a volunteer, and always for the good of the game.

For 50 remarkable years, Tim Kingman proudly served as chairman of Weymouth Basketball Club, recently stepping down and being awarded the title of Club President for Life in recognition of his extraordinary service. 

Since founding Weymouth Bandits Basketball Club in 1977, Tim has dedicated his life to basketball. Mentored by the late Vic Ambler early in his journey, he became far more than just a coach. 

Over the last 48 years, Tim has coached, refereed, table officiated, organised, mentored, and supported hundreds upon hundreds of players, coaches, referees, and volunteers. His work has helped ensure basketball has had a home in Weymouth and Portland for generations. 

His impact reaches far beyond one club. 

Across Dorset, Exeter, Solent, and the wider South West basketball community, Tim has been involved in countless projects and programmes, helping shape opportunities for young people and building a lasting basketball culture that continues today. 

But what makes Tim truly special is not simply the number of years he has served - it is the way he has done it.

To so many people, Tim has been a coach, a mentor, a teacher, a counsellor, a bus driver, a role model, a leader, and a friend. He has invested not only his time, but his energy, passion, and heart into the sport and the people within it. 

And perhaps the greatest testament to his character is this - he never did any of it for recognition. He did it simply for the love of the game and the community around it.

Years of unwavering dedication and service have been given by Chris Manley, not only to the growth of the game—from local leagues through to the National League - but also to the development of coaches, competitions, and the wider basketball infrastructure at every level. 

A passionate and committed advocate for the female game, Chris has played a pivotal role in creating opportunities through festivals and events that have opened doors for countless players to enjoy, experience and fall in love with basketball in a positive and inclusive environment. 

Through many years of voluntary service across a wide range of roles within both county and regional structures, he has made a profound and lasting impact on the lives of many. His influence can be seen in the growth of individuals, the strengthening of programmes, and the continued development of the game across the region. 

His passion is unwavering, his commitment exceptional, and his contribution truly transformational.

Doreen single-handedly founded what is now Norfolk Iceni Basketball Club over 40 years ago, originally established as Broadland Ladies. What began as a small initiative has developed over the decades into a thriving and highly respected girls’ basketball club, with Doreen at its heart throughout. 

Over the years, she has coached a wide range of teams, including regional representative sides, and her passion for providing opportunities for girls in basketball has remained unwavering. With one son of her own, her motivation has never been personal gain, but rather a deep commitment to ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to participate in, enjoy, and excel within the sport. 

Now aged 71, Doreen continues to coach, plan sessions and travel across the East Region to support her teams. She is held in extremely high regard both within Norfolk and beyond. A significant number of women across the country owe their basketball journeys to her guidance - many of whom have gone on to establish their own clubs and coaching careers, while others have progressed to national level as players. 

The club now supports over 100 participants ranging from ages three to 53. In addition to player development, Doreen actively promotes opportunities for girls to become table officials and referees, further strengthening their involvement in the sport. She works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the smooth running of the club, managing all logistical responsibilities including court bookings, officials, and team entries, and frequently steps in to cover coaching sessions when required. 

Coaches, parents, and former players alike are united in their belief that Doreen’s decades of unpaid dedication to basketball fully deserves this recognition. 

Emma has given outstanding service to basketball over many years and has been instrumental in shaping the sport in Worcester and the surrounding area. Emma has been involved in basketball for as long as many can remember, and for countless players, coaches, officials and volunteers, she is the reason they first became involved in the game. 
 
Emma’s contribution began through her work with the local council, delivering basketball sessions in schools and introducing young people to the sport. This passion and commitment led to her becoming a founder of the Worcester Wolves Basketball Academy. The club started with an U14 team and has grown from strength-to-strength under Emma’s guidance and now provides junior pathway, competing across both the NBL and local leagues. 
 
Beyond player development, Emma has consistently demonstrated an understanding of the importance of the infrastructure within the sport. She has supported local league committees over many years and has ensured that the academy places equal emphasis on developing coaches, referees and table officials. As a result, a number of club members have come through the academy programme have gone on to officiate, coach, and play at the highest levels of basketball in this country. 
 
Emma pours an extraordinary amount of time and energy into the club, always putting others first. There is probably not a single job within the club she hasn’t completed and no ask from any player or parent is too big.

Her impact on the local community has been significant and long-lasting, and many members of the basketball community have Emma to thank for their involvement and continued love of the sport.  

For more than 30 years, Ian Richards has dedicated his life to the growth and development of basketball across Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, and the wider East Midlands. Known throughout the basketball community simply as 'Coach', Ian’s impact on the game and the people within it has been truly extraordinary. 

From his early playing days with Woking Blackhawks through to helping establish Mansfield Express, the North Midlands School of Basketball and later Mansfield Giants Basketball Club, Ian has played a central role in creating opportunities for generations of young players. Under his leadership, countless young people have been introduced to basketball and supported to develop both on and off the court. 

Ian’s contribution extends far beyond coaching. As a Basketball Development Officer, tutor, mentor, and advocate for grassroots basketball, he has educated and supported hundreds of coaches, referees, and volunteers across the region. His commitment to inclusion has also seen him make a major contribution to both running and wheelchair basketball, ensuring opportunities exist for everyone to be part of the game. 

Through Express Coaching Services, Ian has helped develop players from grassroots through to national team level, while continuing to mentor and inspire those delivering the sport today.

Even while managing ill health, Ian remains a vital presence within Mansfield Giants, still supporting training sessions, mentoring coaches, and ensuring games and programmes run successfully. 

Richards’ contribution to basketball is impossible to measure fully. His dedication, leadership, and selfless service have helped shape not just clubs and programmes, but entire basketball communities across the region and beyond. 

Harry recently celebrated his 80th birthday, providing a fitting opportunity to reflect on an extraordinary contribution to the game of basketball spanning more than 65 years. 

Harry has been a truly outstanding figure in the development of basketball across the North East region. In particular, he has played a leading and pioneering role in the growth of female basketball at all levels, helping to shape opportunities, pathways, and experiences for generations of players. His influence has been central to the strength and identity of his club, where he has long been regarded as a cornerstone of its success and continuity. 

Alongside his work within clubs and competition, Harry has also made a remarkable contribution as a basketball tutor, supporting the delivery of coaching awards and education programmes for over 50 years. Through this work, he has helped to inspire, guide, and develop countless coaches who have gone on to shape the game in their own right. 

Harry is, quite simply, an inspirational figure whose lifelong dedication to basketball has left a lasting legacy across our region. He is a truly deserving recipient of the Service to Basketball Award, and his contribution will continue to be felt for many years to come. 

Loraine has selflessly stepped into the legacy of her late mother, Betty Codona OBE, by continuing to run and manage the Sheffield Hatters Junior Club, ensuring that a vital community institution not only survives, but thrives.

Carrying forward her mother’s values of service, inclusion, and excellence, Loraine has become a cornerstone of the club and a powerful role model within the community. 

Her contribution goes far beyond a single role. Loraine nurtures the next generation by coaching the aspiring U14 Premier team, helping young athletes develop not only their sporting ability but also confidence, discipline, and teamwork.

Alongside her coaching, she serves as a key committee member and the club’s treasurer, taking on significant responsibility to ensure the club remains financially sustainable and well-managed. 

As a volunteer General Manager, Loraine dedicates countless hours around her day job, giving her time freely and without expectation of recognition. Whether officiating matches, managing teams, organising fixtures and events, or calmly problem-solving behind the scenes, she is the person the club relies on when challenges arise.

Her dedication ensures that children and families have access to a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment where young people can grow both on and off the court. She makes sure there is no financial barrier to any girl who would like to play basketball. She believes sport should be accessible to everyone. 

But Loraine doesn’t just have an impact in Sheffield where for years she has orchestrated development for all young players, not just girls. Loraine has been a vital part of the region’s development programme, providing junior basketball initiatives before Slam Jam existed, creating opportunities for young people to play in CVLs which were appropriate to their abilities.

Her vast knowledge of the sport underpins everything she touches. Gained from playing in competitions from schools to internationals, from coaching and officiating, her opinion is well-respected in the wider basketball community and her wisdom and insight is regarded as invaluable by the Region’s Chair.

Her tenacity means things get done. Carrying on the Hatters tradition of 'you can’t just be a player', she has encouraged scores of young people and their parents to qualify as coaches, referees and table officials.

This is not just to benefit the club, it means those individuals gain new skills and the region benefits from more officials and coaches.  

From North West Regional Chair Kate Lewis:

"I recently had the honour of presenting Mike Burton with the Basketball England Services to Basketball Award. 
 
"We did it before tip-off at the Cheshire Phoenix game, which felt especially fitting as so many people there have been influenced by Mike’s dedication to the sport.

"As always, there were loads of Cheshire Phoenix junior players and their families supporting, along with a huge number of players from the many decades he has spent coaching and developing basketball. 
 
"On a personal note, I have known Mike since I was a young teenager starting out, and he was hugely influential in helping me in my refereeing career, giving me opportunities that any young referee could only have dreamed of. 
 
"Later on, I also got to know his beautiful family and enjoyed some great days out at the Chester races with them. As well as being a basketball legend, he is also a good friend and a devoted family man. 
 
"I think 'legend' is a very fitting description for Mike - not only because of the huge impact he has had on basketball, but also because of the many, many funny tales he has gathered over the years. If you have ever had a pint with him, you will know exactly what I mean!
 
"It was such a proud moment for me to present Mike with this award. I genuinely cannot think of anyone who deserves it more."